A transformational $1.5 billion development at Flinders University’s Bedford Park campus, Flinders Village, is on track to become the largest integrated health and education precinct in South Australia, adding economic value to the state and the nation.
Positioned across from the new Flinders Station, the development will feature student accommodation, an advanced Health Research facility, transitional health accommodation, a hotel, and amenities such as retail facilities, benefitting students, staff and the community.
Vice-Chancellor Professor, Colin Stirling, believes that Flinders Village will energise southern Adelaide, unlock significant research and educational opportunities and be a catalyst for economic growth and jobs.
“Flinders Village is a key part of Flinders’ overarching plan for growth and development. It will complement the University’s existing investments in the Tonsley Innovation District, support the Flinders health precinct and leverage the $125 million investment by the federal and state Government in the Flinders Link rail extension that will connect our campus with the Adelaide CBD.”
“The University plans to leverage the investment in the train connection to attract private capital for the development of Flinders Village in ways that will grow the University and unlock the enormous potential of southern Adelaide” he added.
The first stage of the project will see the development of a Health Research building with a focus on mental health, infectious disease and personalised health delivery.
The University will now enter an exciting phase where vision starts to become reality.
“Flinders University has a pivotal role in South Australia’s growth and development, attracting international students, supporting talented researchers and creating a dynamic, innovation-focused community,” Professor Stirling said.
“In addition to furthering health services and research, our new urban centre with accommodation and retail amenities will benefit our Bedford Park and Tonsley campuses, the adjacent hospitals and surrounding suburbs.”
An open process will soon be run to identify development partners and future tenants, and for the University to work with nearby communities to create a vibrant urban environment which meets their needs now and into the future.
A strong focus on sustainability will be held throughout the development, so designers will be challenged to incorporate world-class thinking into their proposals.
Expressions of interest from developers will be sought for the health and medical research building, student accommodation, Village and public realm by the end of 2019.
The Health Research building is anticipated to be shovel ready in late 2020 and built during 2021-22.
An independent analysis commissioned by Flinders University indicates that the development could potentially:
- Deliver a $1.5 billion development which brings additional economic value to Adelaide’s south and SA.
- Bring 5,000 additional international students to Adelaide.
- Improve student accommodation and provide an additional 3,000 student beds.
- Increase annual education exports by $99 million and generate more than $150 million in additional annual overall export earnings for South Australia.
- Generate over 10,000 construction ‘job years’ during the development phase.